South Africa vs United States of America: Educational attainment rate, completed Master's or equivalent

South Africa
1.17 GPIA
in 2024
United States of America
1.2 GPIA
in 2023
South Africa rank
23rd
United States of America rank
22nd

Educational attainment rate, completed Master's or equivalent over time

  • South Africa
  • United States of America
00.511.5200520142024

How they compare

United States of America currently reports 1.2 GPIA against 1.17 GPIA in South Africa, a difference of 0.03 GPIA.

The two have swapped places 4 times across 6 shared years of data; in 2014 it was United States of America ahead.

South Africa ranks 23rd and United States of America ranks 22nd of 56 countries.

United States of America has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa United States of America Difference Ahead
2010s 1.01 GPIA 1.1 GPIA 0.091 GPIA United States of America
2020s 1.06 GPIA 1.19 GPIA 0.1313 GPIA United States of America

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment rate, completed master's or equivalent, South Africa or United States of America?
United States of America, at 1.2 GPIA against 1.17 GPIA in South Africa as of 2023.
What is the difference in educational attainment rate, completed master's or equivalent between South Africa and United States of America?
0.03 GPIA, with United States of America ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United States of America?
6 years are reported by both, from 2014 to 2023.
How do South Africa and United States of America rank globally for educational attainment rate, completed master's or equivalent?
South Africa ranks 23rd and United States of America ranks 22nd of 56 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Educational attainment rate, completed Master's or equivalent education or higher, population 25+ years, rural, adjusted gender parity index (GPIA). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs United States of America: Educational attainment rate, completed Master's or equivalent. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-rate-completed-master-s-or-equivalent-education-or-higher-15/south-africa/united-states/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment rate, completed Master's or equivalent education or higher, population 25+ years, rural, adjusted gender parity index (GPIA)
Unit
GPIA
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
56 places, 542 data points, 1997–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release